5 Things That Makes TED Talks So Appealing?

It’s popularity has heightened as we are enthralled with the second most viewed website in the world ‘Youtube’.

We are the generation that craves to be stimulated through our hearing, sight and feelings all at once. Previously this was the domain of films and live artists but now talks give us our shot of sensory caffeine in one small short hit.

So what makes TED so appealing?

1. Highly Diverse Speakers

TED and TEDx speakers come from an array of industries, be it, technology, education, banking, science, coaching, entrepreneurs or design. All the speakers have one thing in common, they all have an idea, an expertise in some area, a story or topic that is unique in its own way. They also endeavour to present it to the audience in a way that engages the senses, stimulates us visually and challenges our minds.

2. TED and TEDx Talks Are Free

TED is a non profit organisation that started hosting its annual event in California. It is now predominately hosted in the USA and Canada. At the TED conference, thought leaders, thinkers and doers in the world share their ideas on the prestigious speaking platform. It is a great honour to be asked to speak at TED.

As the TED conference was such a success, the organisation set up TEDx. This is a program of local, self-organized, non-profit events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience in their local community.

3. Short Talks

Each talk is a maximum of 18 minutes. TED curator Chris Anderson said that is “long enough to be serious and short enough to hold people’s attention.” It is also an art form to get your powerful message across in that time people. It ensures that people cut out all the fluff that is usually not necessary in talks.

In 2012, TED Talks celebrated its one billionth video view.

4. Packs A Punch

Some of the best talks pack a real punch. Whether it is a visual display, or through their phenomenal oratory or humour as Ken Robinson demonstrated in his talk ‘Do Schools Kill Creativity”. If done well, these talks can rival movies. The lighting, props, visual graphics ensure that their talk is a sensory delight for the watcher.

5. Speaking Platform Accessible To All

The domain of the TED conference is that most of their speakers have reached the top of their field, have done extensive research on their subject matter or have the most amazing stories to share. The domain of TEDx is that anyone with an idea that is worth spreading, even if they are not an expert in their field can have the chance to speak at a TEDx event in their local area. The great thing is that if the talk is good enough, it will be picked up by the large TED Talk platform to be hosted and viewed there. If this happens, one can expect to get anywhere from 100,000 views upwards

Check out some of my favourite talks:

Ken Robinson – Do schools kills creativity?

Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.

Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success.

Simon Sinek – How great leaders inspire action

Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership — starting with a golden circle and the question “Why?” His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King, and the Wright brothers …

Brené Brown – The power of vulnerability

Brené Brown studies human connection — our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share.

Enjoy and hopefully one day you will deliver your very own TED or TEDx talk.